Listed Buildings at Risk
The Conservation & Design Team monitor the condition of the listed buildings in the Borough and when a building is in poor repair, or there are concerns over its future, the Team's Buildings at Risk Officer attempts to work with the owner and other agencies to protect the building' s future. These buildings which are 'at risk' through neglect and decay, or vulnerable to becoming so, are listed on a register compiled by English Heritage. Most of the buildings and structures are in a poor or very bad condition, but some are in fair condition are also included, usually because they have become redundant, making their future uncertain.
A detailed list of Hackney's Buildings at Risk can be found by searching English Heritage's website.
The building as it exists today: the Portico was recently restored and extended for use as computer training facilities for local schools.
The Conservation & Design Team are currently working with volunteers from the Hackney Society on a survey of all the listed buildings in the Borough, in an attempt to assess the current scale of the problem. However, if you are aware of a listed building which you believe to be at risk please contact the Conservation & Design Team with details. Inclusion of a building on the register implies no criticism of the owners of the buildings concerned, many of whom are actively seeking ways to secure their long term future.
The register is a working tool enabling the Buildings at Risk Officer - working with agencies such as English Heritage, building preservation trusts, and funding bodies - to prioritise action in an effort to secure the future of these irreplaceable parts of our heritage. The role of Buildings at Risk Officer is to provide practical advice to help owners to secure the future of important buildings at risk.
Hackney has legal powers to serve an Urgent Works Notice or Repairs Notice on a listed building owner, requiring repair works to be carried out to prevent further decay. The notice will specify the works, which we consider reasonably necessary for the preservation of the building. An Urgent Works Notice is restricted to emergency repairs only - for example works to keep a building wind and weather-proof and safe from collapse. A Repairs Notice is not restricted to urgent works and may include works to preserve architectural details but can not be used to restore lost features.
In extreme cases where building owners have not taken reasonable steps to preserve a listed building, Hackney can do the work at the owner's cost or even compulsorily purchase a Building at Risk.
Hackney has limited funds to grant aid repairs to buildings at risk, but the Buildings at Risk Officer may be able to advise on other sources of grant funding, available from agencies such as English Heritage, the Heritage Lottery Fund or the Heritage of London Trust.
SAVE Britain's Heritage also maintains a buildings at risk database which includes information on Grade II listed buildings throughout England and Wales which is outside the scope of this register.
The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) also publishes a list of historic buildings in need of repair, or a new use, which are for sale or lease. The list is sent out quarterly to SPAB members who request it.
Page updated: 2 Nov 2010
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